Ground Hug Aronia
Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012′ USPP 31,821
Other Names:Â Ground Hug Chokeberry, Black Berried Dwarf Aronia
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-9b  Find Your Zone
Plant Type:Â Deciduous Flowering Groundcover Shrub
Height at Maturity:Â 12-14″
Width at Maturity:Â 36″+
Spacing:Â 30″ for solid grouping; 6’+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form:Â Spreading
Growth Rate:Â Moderate to Fast
Flower Color:Â White
Flower Size:Â Small flowers in clusters
Flowering Period:Â Spring
Flower Type:Â Single in clusters
Fragrant Flowers:Â Â No
Foliage Color:Â Bronze in Spring, Dark Green in Summer, Golden Purple in Fall
Fragrant Foliage:Â No
Berries:Â Â Yes
Berry Color:Â Black
Sun Needs:Â Full Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, All Day Filtered Sun, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun
Water Needs:Â Â Average
Soil Type:Â Â Clay (well draining), Loam, Sandy, SiltÂ
Soil Moisture / Drainage:Â Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH:Â 5.0 – 7.0 (Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care:Â Very Low
Attracts:Â Birds, Butterflies, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention
Resistances:Â Cold Temperatures (-20F), Deer, Disease, Heat, Humidity, Insect
Description
One of the toughest and most durable and low-maintenance flowering shrubs in existence, and a North American native that provides 3-seasons of color in the landscape and thrives almost anywhere, the Ground Hug Aronia is a low and spreading groundcover form that reaches only about a 1 foot tall and 3 feet feet wide. This is one of those no-maintenance, no-fuss plants you can just plant and watch grow! It handles cold temperatures down to -20F in Zone 3 and also stands up to the heat to Zone 9b. It will grow in sun or part shade, likes a moist soil but handles drought well, and is salt tolerant. The handsome dark green foliage become covered in clusters of pretty white flowers in spring. With the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall the foliage turns to brilliant shades of red. The flowers are followed by equally abundant clusters of attractive deep purple to almost-black berries which are edible by humans, and the birds absolutely love them. That said, the common name for Aronia is chokeberry because of the tart astringency of the fruits. The berries are perfectly safe to eat raw, but due to their astringent taste they are much better in soups, jams, juiced and used in cooking, or in concentrates that can be used to flavor sparkling water and other drinks. Ground Hug is great low-maintenance accent in smaller garden spaces or in groupings or as a groundcover or border edger where space allows.Â
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 12 inches tall and spreading to 3 feet wide, the Ground Hug Aronia is ideal for use as an accent in smaller garden spaces or in groupings or as a border in sunny to partially shaded landscape or woodland borders. A fine addition to the edible landscape, native gardens, fruit gardens, food gardens, rain gardens, butterfly gardens, bird gardens, pollinator gardens, cottage gardens and wildlife gardens.
Growing Preferences
Ground Hug Aronia is very easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained acidic soil of average to high fertility and full sun to part shade. Drought tolerant when established and also tolerates periodic wet soil, but not standing water. We suggest at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day for best flower and berry production. No pruning is necessary.
Helpful Articles
Click on the Planting & Care Advice tab for helpful Chokeberry growing tips from our experts.
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